Deploy Armed Forces In 'Full-blown War' To End Galamsey - Ablakwa Tells President

NDC Member of Parliament for North Tongu constituency and minority Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has asked President Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo-Addo to declare a state of emergency on galamsey.

He further asked the President to deploy the military to galamsey areas where the illegal activities can be put to a total stop.

Speaking on Okay FM's 'Ade Akye Abia' programme, he explained that the fight against illegal mining popularly known as galamsey cannot be won with this kind of kids gloves approach, adding that it is about time government deployed some strict measures to tackle the galamsey menace if it is really bent on finding a lasting solution to it.

"The President and Commander-in-Chief should deploy the Ghana Armed Forces . . . in full-blown war and let us end all mining," he said.

"I believe that government should not politicize the war against illegal mining because it affects every body. I'm sure that no one will be spared when there is water shortage across the country. Already the engineers at the Ghana Water Company Limited are complaining about how they are spending millions of Ghana cedis to treat water due to the hazardous effect of the galamsey activities."

The minority spokesperson on Foreign Affairs added that the country is not even raking in the expected revenue from the illegal mining activities due to the illegal sales of the acquired gold. 

"I can certainly tell you that the country makes more revenue from the sales of bush meat than illegal mining and if the country is losing why should the government entertain an activity which is not only denying the country of the proper and expected revenue but also destroying livelihoods, homes and the natural vegetation," he added.

The government did place a ban on small-scale mining in 2017 as part of its bid to fighting illegal small-scale mining.

The ban was however lifted in December 2018 after over 1,300 small-scale miners were vetted and allowed to continue operations.

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A-G files 4 fresh charges against Aisha Huang

Meanwhile, the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Godfred Yeboah Dame has filed new charges against ‘galamsey’ queen, Aisha Huang in respect of offences committed between 2015 and 2017.

The new charges were filed on Friday September 16, 2022. They are:

Count One: Undertaking a mining operation without a licence contrary to section 99(2)(a) of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006, Act 703 as amended by the Minerals and Mining (Amendment) Act 2019, Act 995.

Count Two: Facilitating the participation of persons engaged in a mining operation contrary to section 99 (2)(a) & (3) of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006, Act 703 as amended by the Minerals and Mining (Amendment) Act 2019, Act 995.

Count Three: Illegal employment of foreign nationals contrary to section 24 of the Immigration Act, 2000 (Act 573).

Count Four: Entering Ghana while prohibited from re-entry contrary to section 20(4) of the Immigration Act, 2000, Act 573.

The Chinese national was arraigned on Friday before the Criminal Division of the High Court presided over by Justice Lydia Marfo and hearing conducted virtually.